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Author Topic: Test Batch  (Read 1838 times)

Offline quest4watneys

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Test Batch
« on: January 28, 2011, 07:24:00 am »
I'd like to do a test batch on a recipe I found. It's an extract kit w/some specialty grain addition. As far as ingredient sizes are concerned, I am assuming that I'd just reduce the amounts relative to the batch size (one gallon in this case). Is this line of reasoning correct? What about yeast? What about boil times and hop additions etc...? Are fermenting times the same as for a 5 gallon? Are there any particular issues I need to be aware regarding small batch sizes? Lots 'o questions but I'm really digging this new hobby and trying learn all I can! The best part about it...you get to consume what you finish :)
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Offline Hokerer

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Re: Test Batch
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2011, 07:45:37 am »
I'd like to do a test batch on a recipe I found. It's an extract kit w/some specialty grain addition. As far as ingredient sizes are concerned, I am assuming that I'd just reduce the amounts relative to the batch size (one gallon in this case). Is this line of reasoning correct? What about yeast? What about boil times and hop additions etc...? Are fermenting times the same as for a 5 gallon? Are there any particular issues I need to be aware regarding small batch sizes? Lots 'o questions but I'm really digging this new hobby and trying learn all I can! The best part about it...you get to consume what you finish :)

For the ingredients, yes, you can just scale them down (ie. use 1/5 of what the recipe calls for assuming your translatint a 5 gallon recipe to 1 gallon).  Boil times and hop times would stay the same.  Fermenting should complete in somewhat less time but it never hurts to let it go longer.
Joe

Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Test Batch
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2011, 10:07:10 am »
Assuming the same pitching rate it should ferment in the same amount of time, but it can be hard to measure the yeast accurately.  If you're close though, it should have pretty much the same flavor profile.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline madscientist

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Re: Test Batch
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2011, 11:04:27 am »
Use Beer Calculus and switch the batch size to 2.5 or 1 gallon or whatever.  I've found it particularly useful especially when the amount of malt extract I want is an odd amount.  You can adjust it accordingly and see where your gravities are.  Same with the Hops.  

Mr. Malty has a yeast pitching calculator that will tell you how much yeast you need to pitch for smaller batches.  For 2.5 gallon, I still use one vial or package.  I don't have the links handy at the moment, I'm at work and they're saved on my home laptop.

Edit:  Yes, this is a wonderful hob... er.. obsession.  I love doing the smaller batches because I can make more varieties and have a case of each, rather than two cases of something.  Plus, smaller batches let me do full boils, get the most from the hops. 

 
« Last Edit: January 28, 2011, 11:06:46 am by madscientist »
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Offline euge

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Re: Test Batch
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2011, 11:56:17 am »
This is what I'm practicing right now. Even made a little 2.5 gallon mash-tun. I'm about to bottle two 2.5 gallon "test batches" and sure there'll be tears when I drink the last of them! :'(

When I hit on a recipe that I really think is outstanding then 12 gallons will be made by scaling up everything in the recipe. Got tired of 12 gallon test-batches. ;D
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Offline quest4watneys

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Re: Test Batch
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2011, 01:30:44 pm »
One more question with this. I'm assuming that doing a boil this size will result in a lot evaporation, correct? If so, do I start with more than a gallon at the beginning or top it of with clean water after the boil?
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Offline weithman5

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Re: Test Batch
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2011, 01:38:28 pm »
i pretty much only brew a gallon at a time now. mostly lagers so i still do a decent amount of yeast at pitching, though sometimes lazy and just a pack of wyeast munich for a gallon works. then save the slurry.   i measure my hops in grams and adjust the utilization equation a bit.  since i use lager yeast and cool temps, i  still let it go for a few weeks before even checking gravity. i am actually planning a lager chamber on my workbench where i can keep 4-5 one gallons at a time.   planning small kegging operation next
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Offline euge

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Re: Test Batch
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2011, 01:39:49 pm »
One more question with this. I'm assuming that doing a boil this size will result in a lot evaporation, correct? If so, do I start with more than a gallon at the beginning or top it of with clean water after the boil?

If you can start with more and boil down. Expect around a gallon per hour evaporation.
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

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Offline weithman5

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Re: Test Batch
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2011, 01:40:53 pm »
that's what i lose, about a quart every 15 minutes
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